Advocacy
Taking Action.
Improving Animal Protection Statewide
Shelter PALS (Policy and Legal Services) is the San Francisco SPCA’s primary initiative to positively transform animal protection and animal sheltering statewide. Shelter PALS works to improve state laws through legislation, thereby increasing awareness of animal care needs, and strengthening standards and treatment. Shelter PALS also provides free legal services (consultation and litigation) to shelters and rescues and is the country’s first and only pro bono legal aid program dedicated exclusively to the needs of animal shelters and adoption organizations.
2025 Advocacy Strategy
We are working to alleviate the shortage of veterinary professionals in California and its impact on animal shelters and underserved communities.
The overall lack of access to veterinary care—including emergency care—results in delayed treatments, increased shelter relinquishments, and significant stress on shelters, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, as well as animal guardians. We are committed to find and advance policy solutions to this shortage, thereby saving animals from suffering, while helping shelters and guardians.
Legislative and Advocacy Work
We are committed to effecting changes in policy and law that improve the lives and care of companion animals in shelters and their forever homes.
We do this by strategically working directly with state and local legislators and influencers. We identify the need for new state legislation, draft statewide and local legislation, propose changes to existing state statutes, and help educate lawmakers and communities about the unique needs of animal shelters and rescues.
Shelter Legal Services
We believe that every California animal shelter and rescue should have access to quality legal help, and we are here to provide it.
Join us as Shelter PALS improves the lives of animals in California and creates a roadmap for change nationwide. We are involved with coordinating strategic litigation, outreach to policymakers, and providing free legal advice including: input on all standard shelter agreements, advice with respect to animal-related laws, and assistance in negotiations with government agencies.
Would you like to be a voice for the voiceless?
Sign up for our email updates and alerts here. We will reach out when legislation is at a critical stage and your voice can make a powerful impact.
Featured Legislation
SB 1233 passed into law in September, allows California veterinary schools to develop specialized programs to combat the pet overpopulation crisis, by establishing high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter certification programs to be offered as elective coursework to students and practicing veterinarians.
AB 1983 establishes the Prevention of Animal Homelessness and Cruelty Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund to support municipal animal control agencies in spay and neuter efforts. This bill re-initiates the program allowing an individual to designate a contribution to the Fund on their tax return, allowing compassionate Californians to continue to contribute and help solve the pet overpopulation crisis.
AB 1988 clarifies that kittens and puppies surrendered to shelters by their owners can be made immediately available to nonprofit rescue and adoption groups. This amended law will now help ensure that limited shelter space is available when needed and that surrendered puppies and kittens can find a home swiftly.
Advocacy Impact
The SF SPCA’s 2025 Legislative Agenda
The San Francisco SPCA is proud to sponsor and support key legislation that addresses some of the most pressing animal welfare issues in California: expanding the ability of pet owners
The San Francisco SPCA Sponsors AB 516 and SB 602
The San Francisco SPCA designed and is sponsoring two critical pieces of legislation to address California’s veterinary care shortage: Assembly Bill 516 (AB 516) and Senate Bill 602 (SB 602).
Keeping the Vets We Have
The veterinary profession is facing an unprecedented crisis that threatens animal welfare nationwide. While the lack of access to veterinary care (AVC) has been identified as the greatest modern threat
SF SPCA’s advocacy work is made possible in part by the generous support of the Barbara Wolfe Advocacy Fund.
Meet the Team
Bruce Wagman Keith C. Wetmore Shelter PALS Special Counsel
Bruce Wagman, a lawyer with the San Francisco office of Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP, has dedicated more than three decades to advocating for animals in various sectors of society. As the sole attorney running an exclusive animal law practice in a major U.S. firm, he litigates cases, drafts animal-friendly legislation, oversees rescues and sanctuaries, and provides consulting services. His expertise is recognized globally through his publications, casework, and involvement with a wide variety of animal law issues, including a focus on “shelter law” and companion animal issues, as well as animals in entertainment and biomedical research, animal cruelty, and farm animal and wildlife protection. He is also the founder of Project Chimps, a Georgia sanctuary for chimpanzees retired from biomedical research. Known for his passion and successful arguments, Bruce represents animal-protection organizations and individuals, offering unwavering dedication to his clients and the animals involved.
Shelter PALS Webinars
You can view helpful webinars here.
Shelter PALS Resources
You can access helpful information and expert guidance here.
Nothing on this website is intended to provide legal or professional advice. Use of the information on this website here does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you require legal advice that is specific to your situation, and you are a California rescue or shelter, please consider signing up for the Shelter PALS program here.